Kim Ju Ae's Photo Shooting a Rifle, North Korea Succession Issue Hits Again

JAKARTA - North Korea released a series of photos showing the teenage daughter of its leader, Kim Ju Ae, on a shooting range and firing a rifle. The publication of the image again sparked speculation about the direction of succession in Pyongyang.

Quoted from Arab News, Monday, March 2, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) government media released a photo of Ju Ae aiming a rifle at an open firing range, finger on the trigger, with smoke visible from the barrel. KCNA also reported that Kim Jong Un handed over a new sniper rifle to senior party and military officials as a form of appreciation and "absolute trust". After that Kim visited the firing range with officials, fired a rifle, and then took a photo.

Meanwhile, CNN, seen Monday, March 2, emphasized that the focus of the publication of the photo was on Ju Ae. According to CNN, North Korea released 27 photos from the event. CNN said it had examined four photos for indications of manipulation, and only the photo of Ju Ae while shooting was marked as potentially manipulated by AI.

CNN also linked the moment to a series of recent political agendas in Pyongyang, including the closure of the Korean Workers' Party congress and a military parade. CNN reported that Ju Ae was seen standing in the stands as Kim reviewed a parade involving about 14,000 troops in Kim Il Sung Square.

Both Arab News and CNN quoted the assessment of the South Korean intelligence agency which stated that Pyongyang seemed to have started the process of appointing Ju Ae as a potential successor. However, there has been no official confirmation from North Korea regarding Ju Ae's role.

Arab News also said KCNA reported that Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's younger sister, would lead the party's general affairs department - a post that analysts say is equivalent to the function of the general secretary.